Have a magical Christmas. Make Christmas magical this year. Believe in the magic of Christmas. These are all invitations of this season. But who or what is doing the inviting? The word magic conjures up different visions for all of us. When it comes to Christmas, what is the magic? As a parent, I can easily get caught up in the magic of the season. I want my family to have Christmas memories to last a lifetime and traditions to pass on to their children. But, what do I want them to pass on? Traditions of shopping and filling up the Christmas tree with more gifts than we need; memories of scheduling lots of magical activities that in the end leave us tired and worn out? I know in my heart these are not the things I want my children to see as the magic of the season. The question then becomes how do we share and pass on the true magic of the season…the hope, joy, love and peace of the season?
The term Advent literally means “coming,” and it is an invitation for us to prepare our hearts for Christ’s coming into the world and our lives. We know who this invitation is from! God wants us to choose to experience his presence in deep and meaningful ways. The only way our children will accept this invitation is if we accept it with them. What does that look like? It will look different for all families, but it will convey the same message…Jesus is the Magic of the Season. In the midst of the inevitable distractions and busy schedules, we have to be intentional about making room to encounter Jesus and share Him with others this Christmas. Following are some suggestions, but the possibilities are endless. Be sure to include the whole family in deciding how to make this happen and what you plan to do.
Hand write a sweet note to someone, bake something for a neighbor, watch a movie or read a book about the Christmas Story, invite a shut-in to go look at Christmas lights, buy a gift for someone in need, decorate cookies and deliver to a nursing home, go Christmas caroling, buy a gift for the Giving Tree, invite someone to Christmas dinner who has no family nearby.
Join me and answer the invitation to the magic of the season! – Dee Ann Lord, Family & Children’s Ministry Coach
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